2 Senators Making Another Attempt To Repeal ACA

Two Republican Senators are making another attempt at repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., are preparing to offer legislation that would overhaul the U.S. health care system. It would be one more in a string of attempts to get rid of the ACA, something Republicans have pledged to do.

At the heart of the bill would be an immediate repeal of the individual mandate, while beginning to dismantle the rest of the ACA in 2020.

The bill would give federal money to the states to implement their own health care plan as opposed to one system for all 50 states that exists under the ACA. In addition, the bill would establish a funding formula that would equalize funding to states that did not expand Medicaid under the ACA.

It also allows states to repeal the mandate for coverage of pre-existing conditions. In exchange, it allows the purchase of a low-cost catastrophic health plan. It also expands the use of health savings accounts and allows people to pay for insurance premiums with the use of HSA funds.

The bill would repeal the medical device tax, the tax on over the counter medications and the tax on health savings accounts. It prohibits the use of federal funds on insurance that covers abortion.

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at Susan.Rupe@innfeedback.com.